Celebrating Lab Week 2024
Medical Laboratory Professionals Week 2024
In honor of Medical Laboratory Professionals Week 2024, we had the privilege of speaking with Eltahir Elbakri, the esteemed lab manager at CleanSlate. With a career spanning over two decades, Eltahir provides insightful reflections on the significant role of medical laboratory science in addiction treatment. Throughout this interview, Eltahir discusses the evolution of lab testing, the complexities of integrating new technologies and methodologies, and the essence of collaboration in healthcare.
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Can you introduce yourself and share what inspired you to pursue a career in the medical laboratory field, especially within the MAT setting?
Eltahir: My name is Eltahir I. Elbakri, and I’m the lab manager for CleanSlate. I’ve been part of the lab field since 1999, working in microbiology and chemistry. My journey into addiction treatment began in 2006, which eventually led me to CleanSlate in 2011. At that time, they were outsourcing their labs to Quest, and I was brought on to establish our own lab. We started with just four centers.
What led you to CleanSlate?
Eltahir: I was introduced to CleanSlate by my colleague Erin Cooley, who passed away a few years ago—God bless her soul. Erin spoke highly of the company’s mission and its need for an in-house lab. The prospect of being part of a company focused on expanding and helping people nationwide was truly inspiring. Before this, I wasn’t fully aware of the challenges in addiction treatment. But once I joined, I saw firsthand the difference we could make.
The most inspiring aspect for me is seeing patients evolve through treatment. Witnessing someone come in on their first day, filled with fear—and eventually regain control of their life with our help—is incredibly rewarding. This experience, especially seeing the change in patients at the clinic in West Springfield where our lab was first established, has been a significant part of why I do what I do.
How has your relationship with the patients evolved over time?
Eltahir: Our connection with the patients has grown strong. We know many of them by their first names and vice versa. This personal connection deepens our empathy and commitment to their recovery. Watching the positive changes in their lives and their appreciation for our work has been incredibly rewarding.
Can you tell us about the lab’s growth and any challenges you faced with space?
Eltahir: As the lab and clinic expanded, we outgrew our initial space in West Springfield, leading us to take over the entire place when the clinic moved out. Eventually, even that space couldn’t accommodate our growing needs, especially with the addition of more machines. In 2016, we moved to a larger facility in Holyoke, MA. This move was significant for us. We transitioned from a basement to a space with windows overlooking nature, enhancing our working environment. However, this move also meant less direct contact with patients, which we missed. Despite this, we continue to view each specimen as a life that depends on the quality of our testing. Our lab has evolved significantly, now featuring around 10 machines and benefiting from automation and leadership support, focusing on the lab as a crucial element of patient treatment.
How do you view the lab’s role in patient treatment now?
Eltahir: The lab plays a critical role in the treatment process. We see each specimen not just as a sample, but as a person’s life that depends on the accuracy and quality of our work. With advancements in automation and an increase in our capacity, we’re better equipped than ever to support the treatment efforts.
That’s quite the journey. How do you feel looking back on it?
Eltahir: Looking back, it’s been an incredible journey of growth, both for the lab and myself personally. The move to Holyoke was a major milestone for us, providing the space and environment we needed to improve our operations further. Despite missing direct patient contact, our commitment to supporting their treatment through our work remains unwavering.
Can you give our audience an overview of your current role as a lab manager, specifically how you ensure the quality and accuracy of laboratory results?
Eltahir: My role has significantly evolved from when the lab was a solo operation to now leading a diverse team, including a technical supervisor, lab director and specialized technicians. I oversee operations, driving the adoption of new processes to uphold and enhance lab quality in line with strict standards from CLIA and various state regulations. We’re also working towards CAP accreditation to affirm our commitment to the highest quality benchmarks.
I’m also responsible for the lab’s budget, ensuring our efforts to improve quality are economically viable. I oversee lab metrics to predict when to invest in new technology or expand the team. A predictive model developed with an external consultancy in 2017/2018, based on our testing volumes, has been instrumental in scaling our operations effectively, growing our team significantly to better meet our goals.
How has lab testing evolved for Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Eltahir: Lab testing for MAT has significantly progressed, starting with adherence to SAMHSA guidelines and evolving through close collaboration with our clinical team. Initially, our test panel included 19 tests. Now we’ve streamlined it to 11, with another addition on the horizon. This refinement reflects our response to emerging treatment needs, expanding from basic urine drug screens to include liver function tests and infectious disease screenings, the latter added in 2016 to enhance patient care.
A pivotal development was adopting confirmation testing in 2012 and expanding it in 2019, elevating our support for clinical decisions. Our current suite of tests encompasses urine screenings, infectious disease panels, liver function assessments and comprehensive confirmation testing, now totaling about 15 panels.
That’s quite an expansion. How has this improved patient care?
Eltahir: This evolution in testing has greatly enhanced our ability to provide tailored and precise care to our patients. By broadening our testing capabilities, we’re not only able to monitor the effectiveness of treatment but also ensure the overall health and safety of our patients. The introduction of comprehensive testing panels allows us to support our clinical team with detailed, accurate information, enabling better patient outcomes and more informed treatment decisions.
How do you ensure your lab stays updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in substance use disorder testing?
Eltahir: We ensure our lab stays at the forefront of substance use disorder testing by engaging with the latest industry trends through multiple avenues. Subscribing to key publications and sharing these insights team-wide, along with attending conventions, expos and workshops, has been critical. We’ve recently been encouraging team members to attend events as well.
Being active in organizations that host annual events, such as SOFT and clinical lab science conventions, is part of our strategy to remain updated. For instance, we’re set to participate in a toxicology workshop in Albany soon. Through these engagements, where we both learn and contribute, our team stays connected with evolving technologies and methodologies, ensuring our lab’s continued advancement in the field.
Could you talk about the collaboration between your lab and other healthcare professionals, such as clinicians and pharmacists?
Eltahir: We have a strong collaborative framework in place. Internally, we hold a monthly quality meeting that includes the lab leaders, RMDS (Regional Medical Directors), and senior leaders like the COO, as well as our legal and compliance teams. These meetings focus on lab quality and statistics, where we review our performance, discuss pressing issues, and plan for future tests and trends. For instance, we’re currently discussing the addition of pH testing and substances like Xylazine and Kratom, especially in response to regional trends like those seen in many states and regions.
Are there any emerging trends in laboratory testing that you think could impact treatment approaches?
Eltahir: Yes, Xylazine is currently a significant concern. It’s particularly dangerous when combined with fentanyl, which we’ve been monitoring closely. We’re actively educating our team and the RMDS on these trends, including the effects of Xylazine, through articles and discussions. Our lab’s history of adapting to emerging substances, from K2 to fentanyl, highlights the ongoing race to keep up with the development of new drugs and their impacts on treatment.
Does your lab currently test for Xylazine?
Eltahir: Not yet, but we are in the process of developing this test. It’s expected to take at least six months due to the rigorous validation process required for tests that are not yet FDA approved. This ensures we meet FDA guidelines and can provide accurate data on how the test was developed.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in medical laboratory science, especially in a specialty area like MAT?
Eltahir: For those passionate about helping and supporting others from behind the scenes, medical laboratory science is an ideal field. While we may not have direct interaction with patients, we view each sample as a patient, taking satisfaction in the number of individuals we assist through our work.
In honor of National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week 2024, what message would you like to share about the importance of lab work in addiction treatment?
Eltahir: The lab serves as a critical tool in addiction treatment, providing essential support and enabling precise care. It’s not just about performing tests. It’s about understanding each test’s impact, methodology, and the information it provides. This understanding enhances the treatment process and supports patient care. We encourage curiosity and questions about our work, as it signifies a desire to learn and improve patient support.
Any final thoughts you’d like to share on this occasion?
Eltahir: It’s not just me. There’s a team behind every sample and result. Without this team of professionals, nothing is possible.
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